As most of you know, Saddleback Church, under the leadership of Rick Warren, was determined not to
be in “friendly cooperation” with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Statement of Faith and thus
removed from the rolls of the SBC. The issue is over the calling of women to be pastors of Southern
Baptist churches.
There is so much to think about, understand, and study when it comes to the place of women in the
church. But I will not attempt to discern whether or not a woman can be the shepherd of a church.
Rather, I want to talk about the language Rick Warren used when speaking of the issue. Now, Rick
Warren is a fantastic pastor, preacher, and author. The Lord has used him mightily in his ministry. I
respect him and the work he has done. But here is a statement he made at a news conference following
the decision to uphold the church’s removal from SBC fellowship: “Messengers voted for conformity and
uniformity rather than unity. The only way you will have unity is to love diversity.”
There is so much wrong with that line of thought when it comes to Christianity and cooperation
between churches. He didn’t defend his beliefs, nor did he appeal to scripture to build his case. Rick
Warren called for the human desire for unity and diversity. For him, conformity and uniformity are bad
things. Maybe so when it comes to civic or political issues…but Biblical doctrine? He sounded more like
a school board member defending a “pride” event in school rather than a religious leader striving to
teach sound Biblical teaching.
We can discuss theology all day long, but unity and diversity must take a back seat when it comes to the
truth. Unity is very much desirable (and doable) in the church but not at the expense of truth. Again,
I’m not arguing for or against women pastors in this article (I will soon) and, who knows…perhaps one
day I’ll change my belief about the issue. But I promise you, it won’t be based on my desire for us to be
unified and diverse; it will be because the Spirit of truth has shown me the error of my Biblical
interpretation and understanding. If the truth divides…so be it.
Say good things about your Savior and about His church here on the Bluff.
Bro. Tony
be in “friendly cooperation” with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Statement of Faith and thus
removed from the rolls of the SBC. The issue is over the calling of women to be pastors of Southern
Baptist churches.
There is so much to think about, understand, and study when it comes to the place of women in the
church. But I will not attempt to discern whether or not a woman can be the shepherd of a church.
Rather, I want to talk about the language Rick Warren used when speaking of the issue. Now, Rick
Warren is a fantastic pastor, preacher, and author. The Lord has used him mightily in his ministry. I
respect him and the work he has done. But here is a statement he made at a news conference following
the decision to uphold the church’s removal from SBC fellowship: “Messengers voted for conformity and
uniformity rather than unity. The only way you will have unity is to love diversity.”
There is so much wrong with that line of thought when it comes to Christianity and cooperation
between churches. He didn’t defend his beliefs, nor did he appeal to scripture to build his case. Rick
Warren called for the human desire for unity and diversity. For him, conformity and uniformity are bad
things. Maybe so when it comes to civic or political issues…but Biblical doctrine? He sounded more like
a school board member defending a “pride” event in school rather than a religious leader striving to
teach sound Biblical teaching.
We can discuss theology all day long, but unity and diversity must take a back seat when it comes to the
truth. Unity is very much desirable (and doable) in the church but not at the expense of truth. Again,
I’m not arguing for or against women pastors in this article (I will soon) and, who knows…perhaps one
day I’ll change my belief about the issue. But I promise you, it won’t be based on my desire for us to be
unified and diverse; it will be because the Spirit of truth has shown me the error of my Biblical
interpretation and understanding. If the truth divides…so be it.
Say good things about your Savior and about His church here on the Bluff.
Bro. Tony